This is a violation of his rights.

In a recent development that underscores growing concerns about religious freedom in China, Pastor Kan Xiaoyong, a prominent figure in the Protestant community, has been handed a harsh 14-year prison sentence by the Ganjingzi District People’s Court in Dalian. Alongside him, his wife Wang Fengying and four church members faced varying prison terms, all charged with the accusation of “using superstition to undermine the law.” The couple had founded the Home Discipleship Network, an online preaching platform, in 2018 after moving from Wuhan to Dalian.

During the court proceedings, disturbing claims of torture during interrogations surfaced, and notably, these allegations remained unchallenged by the authorities. Kan and Wang argued that the government crackdown was instigated by Kan’s substantial online following and the unofficial status of their church, seen as a threat to the Chinese Communist Party. Despite a reduction in the initially anticipated sentences, the accused steadfastly maintain their innocence.

Reports from Bitter Winter, a magazine focused on religious liberty and human rights in China, suggest that these sentences are part of a broader initiative by President Xi Jinping’s government to bring all Protestant churches under the control of the state-approved Three-Self Church. The charges include the use of “xie jiao” or “heterodox teaching,” a term often wielded by Chinese authorities against groups considered as “cults.” Notably, Kan’s organization, a typical Protestant house church, does not align with this characterization.

This situation has garnered attention from organizations such as Open Doors, which monitors global Christian persecution. The intensified crackdown, marked by new regulations and digital surveillance, specifically targets unregistered Christian activities, including house churches. Despite the delivered verdict, the accused are resolute in their decision to appeal, emphasizing the broader implications for religious minorities in China and the challenges posed to the preservation of freedom of belief in the country. This incident sheds a stark light on the ongoing struggles faced by religious communities amid increasing governmental pressures in China, prompting international concern for the state of religious liberties in the region.

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